Daily Treasure

The WNAC Convention will be here soon. There is much to be done. Please remember our office as we complete tasks as efficiently and proficiently as possible.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC staff during the busy months leading up to the convention.

“Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord” (Romans 16:12a).

It’s possible the names in our scripture today are those of sisters who may have been twins. Whatever the case, Paul commended them for their “labor in the Lord.” Commentaries do not describe what they did. More important is the fact they were “laborers together with God.”

I picture them as lay women who used their time and talents for the Lord. You have some in your WAC who may be doing great work for the Lord but they seldom get a thank you or pat on the back. Just as I’m sure it was an inspiration to Tryphena and Tryphosa to have Paul remember them. Maybe you could give encouragement to those in your WAC that may need it.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Creative Access – Pray for Overseas Apprentices ministering with missionaries during May and June.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus. Who have for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house”   (Romans 16:3-5a).

Paul needed to put Priscilla and Aquila on his list of salutations. They were dear friends to him. They were tentmakers just like Paul. They traveled with Paul as fellow workers. They even risked their lives for Paul. Paul lived with this couple when he was at Corinth and they helped him found a church there. Priscilla was not one who faded into the background, reduced to serving coffee and sandwiches. She ministered with her husband as an equal in the service of the Lord.

How we need more women who will partner with their husbands to promote the gospel wherever God leads. It may not mean you have to go to a faraway land, but, it will mean you are have to be willing to spread the gospel in your neighborhood.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for Alice Smith and Verlin Anderson as they prepare to return to Cote d’Ivoire in June. Pray especially that sufficient funds will be available.

“I commend unto you Phoebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea. That ye receive her in the Lord as become saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2).

Paul had not known the Roman Christians as an assembly so in this letter to them he gives some special salutations. Several of these were to women who were the unsung heroes of the early Church.

Because Phoebe was mentioned first in Romans 16, it is believed she was the one who delivered the letter to Rome. Perhaps there were also arrangements made for Paul’s missionary journey to Spain. Phoebe was a wealthy, independent woman, possibly a widow. She was active in her church as a woman deacon.

It is believed that, as a woman of means, Phoebe possibly owned a home large enough for Christian gatherings. She may have been a leader of a house church. She offered hospitality and financial support to traveling Christians including Paul. Paul never forgot her labor of love. He requested in his letter that if Phoebe needed any kind of assistance, please help her as she has helped so many others including him.

Many women in the early Church labored tirelessly without much thanks or recognition. The things written in Romans 16 were to let them know how much Paul appreciated their efforts.

If you have any “Phoebes” in your WAC group, let them know you appreciated all they do.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  New vegetables and flowers may be blooming in our gardens today. Pray and ask God to let us bloom where we are planted.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14).

Lydia was a business woman that some consider wealthy because she was a seller of expensive purple cloth. It was believed her customers were the very rich, mostly royalty.

Lydia was a religious Gentile woman who became converted to Christianity after hearing the preaching of Paul. Lydia’s conversion affected her household. They were all baptized. Lydia insisted that Paul and his companions come stay a while as guests in her home.

Today, as back then, the gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).   Allow God to open your heart to His Word. Follow Lydia’s example of faith and obedience.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray about the relevance of your WAC as you study biblical women’s groups – whose influence, both good and bad, affect our thinking today.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36).

The early Church was filled with women whose lives were examples of women in WAC. Dorcas was a woman who put her love in action. She loved the Lord and served Him by sewing for the needy. She made coats and other clothing for the poor. Since clothing was not stitched on a sewing machine back then, her handmade items were very special to all her recipients. She was well loved and when the people found out she died, they mourned. However, not for long because Peter came in the name of the Lord and raised her from the dead. That miracle from God caused many to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, to have women in our WAC groups who care enough about the needs of others to give of their means, energy, and time for the cause of Christ.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Our beloved United States needs a touch from the Master. Pray for our national leaders as you meet with God today.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for David and Angie Outlaw as they prepare to begin a neighborhood outreach – a children’s English club in their home.